STAUNTON – There will be lane closures during the period of July 12-15 at the Interstate 81 truck climbing lane project in Rockbridge County. All work is weather permitting. Motorists should anticipate possible delays in this area.

The northbound lane closures scheduled for the night of July 11 have been canceled by the contractor. On July 12 and 13 all I-81 northbound lanes will be closed in the area between exit 195 and exit 200 from 8 p.m. until 7 a.m. Motorists will detour at I-81 exit 195, travel north on Route 11 and then west on Route 710 and re-enter I-81 at exit 200. Crews will be demolishing the old Route 712 bridge.

Blasting will take place on July 12 and 13 at 12 p.m. The blasting locations will be on I-81 between mile-markers 201 to 202. Signs are posted in this area. Both northbound and southbound lanes will have a rolling mobile lane closure.

The blasting is part of the I-81 truck climbing lane project in Rockbridge County. The work zone is along the northbound lanes from mile marker 195.6 to 202.5, which is just north of Lexington. Blasting days will change weekly depending on project progress. Both northbound and southbound lanes will have a rolling mobile lane closure. Traffic will be slowed down so the blast area is clear of traffic during the actual blast period. Traffic will immediately resume through the area once conditions are deemed safe by crews at the site.

The I-81 truck climbing lane project valued at $74.2 million was awarded by Commonwealth Transportation Board on Feb. 5, 2009 to W. C. English Inc. of Lynchburg. Completion is scheduled for fall 2012. The work zone is along the northbound lanes from mile marker 195.6 to 202.5, which is just north of Lexington.

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